This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017. His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. He also copied many many of my blog entries.
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| Croatia World Cup 2018 |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Historically, Yugoslavia was loaded with football talents, but they did not perform as well as they should have. I have created a Yugoslavia All-Time. This is the all-time team for Yugoslavia after breakup. Only players whose career existed around 1992 were eligible. I chose the year 1992 because it was when Croatia and Macedonia became FIFA members. The country Yugoslavia was no longer intact. Players from FR Yugoslavia were also included. I put players before the breakup on my Yugoslavia All-Time Team over here.
The national teams of Slovenia, Croatia and Macedonia were born in 1992. Serbia and Montenegro continued to play under FR Yugoslavia until 2006. The national team of FR Yugoslavia continued to exist until 2003 when it became Serbia and Montenegro. In 2006, Serbia and Montenegro separated into two national teams. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina came into being in 1995. Kosovo became a FIFA member in 2018.
Croatia had the best record since Yugoslavia broke up. They finished as runner-up at the 2018 World Cup Finals as well as finishing 3rd at the 1998 and 2022 World Cup Finals. At the time of writing, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Macedonia had qualified for a major tournaments. Croatia met FR Yugoslavia for the first time in 1999 during the qualifying round for Euro 2000. Both matched were heated battles. Due to the historical background of the two countries, the Croatia-Serbia rivalry is one of the most intense in European football. Meanwhile, Slovenia qualified for their first major tournament in 2000. They were on the same group as FR Yugoslavia, and they played each other on the first match. The match ended in 2-2 tie.
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| Croatia vs FR Yugoslavia Euro Qualifiers in 1999 |
Team
GK: Jan Oblak (Slovenia)
Jan Oblak made his debut for Olimpija Ljubljana at hime in the 2009–10 season aged 16 before joining Benfica in 2010. Starting in 2014, he plays for Atletico Madrid in Spain. At the time of writing, he has won La Liga's Zamora Trophy three times for their best goalkeeper. At the international level, he became the first-choice goalkeeper of the national team after the international retirement of Samir Handanović at the end of 2015.
Jan Oblak made his debut for Olimpija Ljubljana at hime in the 2009–10 season aged 16 before joining Benfica in 2010. Starting in 2014, he plays for Atletico Madrid in Spain. At the time of writing, he has won La Liga's Zamora Trophy three times for their best goalkeeper. At the international level, he became the first-choice goalkeeper of the national team after the international retirement of Samir Handanović at the end of 2015.
GK: Samir Handanović (Slovenia)
From 2004, Samir Handanović was capped over 80 times for Slovenia. He went to the World Cup Finals in 2010. For club football, he was best remembered as a top keeper in Serie A. He mainly played from Inter Milan where he started in 2012. He was voted the best goalkeeper for 2013 in Italy. He is one of only three non-Italian keepers to be named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year, winning the honor twice. He is nicknamed Batman due to his acrobatic saves.
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| Samir Handanović |
Danijel Subašić made his name with Hajduk Split between 2009 and 2012. In 2012, he joined Monaco in France, winning Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year: 2016–17. Between 2010 and 2018, he earned 44 caps for Croatia. He was the starting keeper at Euro 2016. He was a hero of the 2018 World Cup team, where he saved 4 penalties in two penalty shootouts in the knockout stage as Croatia reached the Final.
RB: Darijo Srna (Croatia)
Darijo Srna was one of the best wingbacks of his generation. He started Hajduk Split in 1999. He was best remembered for playing over 10 years for Shaktar Donetsk and winning the UEFA Cup with them in the 2008-2009 season. He is both captain for his club and country. He played 134 times for Croatia, having represented his country at the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, as well as at UEFA Euro 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
RB: Branislav Ivanović (Serbia)
Ivanović began his career with FK Srem. He later played with OFK Beograd and Lokomotiv Moscow. In January 2008, he joined Chelsea. He won nine major honours with Chelsea, including the Champions League and the Europa League. He is only five foreign players to appear in over 300 matches for the club. He has the most appearances for the Serbian national team in its history, having played 105 matches. He went to 2010 and 2018 World Cup.
CB: Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)
Nemanja Vidic spent 9 seasons as the starting center-back at Manchester United from 2006 and 2014, where he won every major trophy and established himself as one of the best center-backs of his generation. He also played for Red Star Belgrade and Spartak Moscow. He went to the World Cup Finals in 2006 and 2010. He was part of the "Famous Four" Serbian national team defence that conceded just one goal during the 2006 World Cup qualification campaign.
Darijo Srna was one of the best wingbacks of his generation. He started Hajduk Split in 1999. He was best remembered for playing over 10 years for Shaktar Donetsk and winning the UEFA Cup with them in the 2008-2009 season. He is both captain for his club and country. He played 134 times for Croatia, having represented his country at the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, as well as at UEFA Euro 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
RB: Branislav Ivanović (Serbia)
Ivanović began his career with FK Srem. He later played with OFK Beograd and Lokomotiv Moscow. In January 2008, he joined Chelsea. He won nine major honours with Chelsea, including the Champions League and the Europa League. He is only five foreign players to appear in over 300 matches for the club. He has the most appearances for the Serbian national team in its history, having played 105 matches. He went to 2010 and 2018 World Cup.
CB: Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)
Nemanja Vidic spent 9 seasons as the starting center-back at Manchester United from 2006 and 2014, where he won every major trophy and established himself as one of the best center-backs of his generation. He also played for Red Star Belgrade and Spartak Moscow. He went to the World Cup Finals in 2006 and 2010. He was part of the "Famous Four" Serbian national team defence that conceded just one goal during the 2006 World Cup qualification campaign.
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| Nemanja Vidic |
CB: Robert Kovac (Croatia)
Robert Kovac had 84 caps for Croatia. He represented them in two World Cup Finals, 2002 and 2006, and has also participated at two European Championships, 2004 and 2008. He was the captain of the national team after his brother Niko retired. He made his name with Bayer Leverkusen. He played a few of the biggest clubs in the world, notably with Bayern Munich and Juventus. He ended his career with Dinamo Zagreb.
Robert Kovac had 84 caps for Croatia. He represented them in two World Cup Finals, 2002 and 2006, and has also participated at two European Championships, 2004 and 2008. He was the captain of the national team after his brother Niko retired. He made his name with Bayer Leverkusen. He played a few of the biggest clubs in the world, notably with Bayern Munich and Juventus. He ended his career with Dinamo Zagreb.
CB: Miroslav Djukic (Serbia)
Miroslav Djukic spent 14 years of his professional career in Spain, notably at the service of Deportivo de La Coruña and Valencia, amassing La Liga totals of 368 games and 11 goals, and winning six major titles for the two clubs combined. In 1994, Đukić missed a penalty kick in the game's last minute (eventual 0–0 draw) for Deportivo. As a result FC Barcelona were crowned champions instead. He had 48 caps and played at Euro 2000 for Yugoslavia.
Miroslav Djukic spent 14 years of his professional career in Spain, notably at the service of Deportivo de La Coruña and Valencia, amassing La Liga totals of 368 games and 11 goals, and winning six major titles for the two clubs combined. In 1994, Đukić missed a penalty kick in the game's last minute (eventual 0–0 draw) for Deportivo. As a result FC Barcelona were crowned champions instead. He had 48 caps and played at Euro 2000 for Yugoslavia.
CB/DM/LB: Sinisa Mihajlovic (Serbia)
Sinisa Mihajlovic was capped 63 times between 1991 and 2003 for Yugoslavia. He won the European Cup with Red Star Belgrade. In 1992, he moved to Italy and became was one of the best defender in Serie, notably played for Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter Milan. With Lazio, he won UEFA Cup Winners Cup: 1998–99. He was part of the golden generation of Yugoslav players who won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship in Chile.
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| Sinisa Mihajlovic |
LB: Robert Jarni (Croatia)
Robert Jarni was a member of Yugoslavia's Golden Generation of the 1990's. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1990 with Yugoslavia and later, represented Croatia at the World Cup Finals in 1998, where they reached the semifinal. Professionally, he began Hadjuk Split had played in big clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid as well as Real Betis where he played the longest. He also played in England and Italy.
LB: Aleksandar Kolarov (Serbia)
Aleksandar Kolarov began his career at Red Star Belgrade, but he moved onto Čukarički in 2004. Two years later, he joined OFK Beograd before signing for Lazio in Serie A. In 2010, he joined Manchester City, with which he won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup. He now plays for AS Roma in Italy. He has over 70 caps for Serbia. Kolarov was a member of Serbia's squads for the 2010 and 2018 World Cup Finals. He was named Serbian Player of the Year in 2011.
Robert Jarni was a member of Yugoslavia's Golden Generation of the 1990's. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1990 with Yugoslavia and later, represented Croatia at the World Cup Finals in 1998, where they reached the semifinal. Professionally, he began Hadjuk Split had played in big clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid as well as Real Betis where he played the longest. He also played in England and Italy.
LB: Aleksandar Kolarov (Serbia)
Aleksandar Kolarov began his career at Red Star Belgrade, but he moved onto Čukarički in 2004. Two years later, he joined OFK Beograd before signing for Lazio in Serie A. In 2010, he joined Manchester City, with which he won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup. He now plays for AS Roma in Italy. He has over 70 caps for Serbia. Kolarov was a member of Serbia's squads for the 2010 and 2018 World Cup Finals. He was named Serbian Player of the Year in 2011.
DM: Nemanja Matić (Serbia)
Nemanja Matić began his career at Kolubara, before joining Slovak side Košice in 2007. He moved to Chelsea in 2009. With Benfica, he won the Primeira Liga Player of the Year award. He returned to Chelsea in 2014. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2014–15 season. In 2017, he joined Manchester United. With Serbia, he has over 48 caps since 2008. He went to 2018 World Cup. He was the Serbian Player of the year twice.
CM: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Luka Modric is one of the greatest playmakers of his generation. He earned more 90 caps for Croatia. He currently plays for Real Madrid and won the Champions' League for the 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. He also played with Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham Hotspurs. He played in the World Cup Finals of 2006 and 2014, as well as the European Championship of 2008, 2012 and 2016. He was voted the best player of the World Cup Finals in 2018 as Croatia finished second.
AM/CM: Zvonimir Boban (Croatia)
ST: Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
ST: Alen Bokšić (Croatia)
Honorable Mention
Zvonimir Boban was the captain of the national team that finished third at the World Cup in 1998. He was also an important player of the highly talented Yugoslavia under-20 team that won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship. He was also remembered for his career with AC Milan with whom he won four Serie A and one UEFA Champions League titles. He also played Bari and Celta Vigo at the club level.
AM: Dejan Savicevic (Montenegro)
Dejan Savicevic was a part of the Red Star Belgrade team that won the 1990–91 European Cup before joining A.C. Milan in 1992. With Milan, he won three Serie A titles. He was a key player for winning the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League. He represented Yugoslavia at the 1990 and 1998 World Cups. However, his international career was limited by the FIFA ban on Yugoslavia during his prime. He did not appear in the European Championship of 1992 as a result.
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| Dejan Savicevic |
AM: Robert Prosinecki (Croatia)
Robert Prosinecki was considered one of the most talented players from Yugoslavia in the 1990's. In 1987, Prosinečki was named the tournament's best player as Yugoslavia won the World Youth Championship. He then played for Yugoslavia at the 1990 World Cup and for Croatia at the European Champion in 1996, and both of the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. For his club career, he played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but he failed to establish himself at neither club.
Hasan Salihamidžić is best remembered for playing 9 seasons with Bayern Munich. With Bayern, he won the 2001 Champions' League final, scoring one of the penalties in the shootout win in the Final. He also played for Juventus and Wolfsburg. At the international level, he earned 43 caps and scored six goals for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. He is regarded by many as one of the most successful Bosnian football players in recent times.
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| Hasan Salihamidžić |
LW: Ivan Perisic (Croatia)
Ivan Perisic is a product of the Hajduk Split and Sochaux youth academies, he played for Club Brugge, where was named Belgian Footballer of the Year for 2011. He later played for Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg before joining Inter Milan in 2015. For Croatia, he had over 111 caps. He played in Euro 2012 and 2016, and the World Cup Finals of 2014 and 2018.
Edin Dzeko is probably the most famous player for Bosnia and Herzegovina not from the era under Yugoslavia. He has played over 80 times for his country and scored 52 goals since 2007, becoming the highest Bosnia and Herzegovina goalscorer of all time. He led Bosnia and Herzegovina to qualify for the World Cup in 2014. He had a great career with Wolfsburg and moved to Manchester City in 2011. At the time of writing, he plays for Roma, helping the club to reach the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2018.
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| Edin Džeko |
Alen Boksic won the 1992–93 UEFA Champions League, and was voted fourth in the 1993 European Footballer of the Year poll. That same year, he was named Croatian Footballer of the Year. He also won two Serie A titles in 1997 and 2000 with Juventus and Lazio respectively, and is regarded as one of the best foreign players in the history of Serie A since 1980's. He played for both Yugoslavia and Croatia. He missed the 1998 World Cup Finals due to an injury.
ST: Davor Suker (Croatia)
Davor Suker was a part of Yugoslavia's Golden Generation in the 1990's. He later played for Croatia, where he is the all-time leading scorer. He is best remembered for finishing the top scorer at the World Cup Finals in 1998, where Croatia reached the semifinal. For his club career, he won a Champions' League in 1998 with Real Madrid. He also played with Sevilla, Arsenal, West Ham and 1860 Munich. He was Croatian Footballer of the Year: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998.
ST: Davor Suker (Croatia)
Davor Suker was a part of Yugoslavia's Golden Generation in the 1990's. He later played for Croatia, where he is the all-time leading scorer. He is best remembered for finishing the top scorer at the World Cup Finals in 1998, where Croatia reached the semifinal. For his club career, he won a Champions' League in 1998 with Real Madrid. He also played with Sevilla, Arsenal, West Ham and 1860 Munich. He was Croatian Footballer of the Year: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998.
ST: Predrag Mijatović (Montenegro)
At club level, Mijatović played for six different clubs: Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia, Real Madrid, Fiorentina and Levante. He is best remembered for scoring the winning goal against Juventus as Real Madrid won the 1998 Champions' league, the club's first title since 1966. He played 73 times for Yugoslavia. In 1997, Mijatović was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or, behind Ronaldo and ahead of Zinedine Zidane. He played in the 1998 World Cup Finals.
At club level, Mijatović played for six different clubs: Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia, Real Madrid, Fiorentina and Levante. He is best remembered for scoring the winning goal against Juventus as Real Madrid won the 1998 Champions' league, the club's first title since 1966. He played 73 times for Yugoslavia. In 1997, Mijatović was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or, behind Ronaldo and ahead of Zinedine Zidane. He played in the 1998 World Cup Finals.
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| Predrag Mijatović |
Asmir Begovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Stipe Pletikosa (Croatia), Vladimir Stojković (Serbia), Dražen Ladić (Croatia), Stefan Savić (Montenegro), Josip Šimunić (Croatia), Domagoj Vida (Croatia), Dario Šimić (Croatia), Dejan Lovren (Croatia), Neven Subotić (Serbia), Niko Kovač (Croatia), Igor Tudor (Croatia), Vedran Ćorluka (Croatia), Igor Štimac (Croatia), Ivica Olić (Croatia), Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia), Dragan Stojkovic (Serbia), Niko Kranjčar (Croatia), Zlatko Zahovič (Slovenia), Dušan Tadić (Serbia), Vladimir Jugović (Serbia), Miralem Pjanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Darko Kovačević (Serbia), Mateja Kežman (Serbia), Savo Milošević (Serbia), Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia), Goran Pandev (North Macedonia),
Squad Explanation
-- Any player who played international football for any of the former Yugoslavia republics after 1992 the year where most republics broke off from Yugoslavia are eligible. Serbia and Montenegro remained with Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FR Yugoslavia) and played under that name until 2003. Players from FR Yugoslavia are eligible for both Yugoslavia All-Time Team and this team. The definition of this team is after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. FR Yugoslavia in reality consisted of two republics. They were Serbia and Montenegro in another name. The players in question were in the same generation as some of the players selected from Croatia, Slovenia, etc. I did not want to exclude them. However, I also included them on my Yugoslavia All-Time Team because they still officially played under the banner of Yugoslavia until 2003.
-- Any player who played international football for any of the former Yugoslavia republics after 1992 the year where most republics broke off from Yugoslavia are eligible. Serbia and Montenegro remained with Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FR Yugoslavia) and played under that name until 2003. Players from FR Yugoslavia are eligible for both Yugoslavia All-Time Team and this team. The definition of this team is after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. FR Yugoslavia in reality consisted of two republics. They were Serbia and Montenegro in another name. The players in question were in the same generation as some of the players selected from Croatia, Slovenia, etc. I did not want to exclude them. However, I also included them on my Yugoslavia All-Time Team because they still officially played under the banner of Yugoslavia until 2003.
-- I placed emphasis on careers after 1992.
-- I am opened to players who played for national teams not from one of Yugoslavia's former republics. Many footballers were refugees from the war who did not a chance to represent their "home" countries. However, contribution to the national team was a big factor in my selection process. I set a higher standard for evaluation. Zlatan Ibrahimović was born in Sweden. Both of his parents left Yugoslavia long time before the breakup of Yugoslavia. I did not consider him.
-- Sinisa Mihajlovic, Dejan Savicevic and Predrag Mijatović are also on my Yugoslavia All-Time Team. All three of them played for FR Yugoslavia. Dragan Stojkovic was arguably one of the best players from Yugoslavia and Serbia. However, I felt that his prime ended around 1991 when he became injury prone. His international career did last until 2001.
-- Eleven players were from Croatia and six from Serbia. Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia had two each. Both of Slovenia's players were goalkeepers.
-- Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Ivan Rakitic and Danijel Subašić helped Croatia to finish second at the 2018 World Cup Finals. A few of them again helped Croatia to finish third in the 2022 World Cup Finals. Zvonimir Boban, Robert Jarni, Davor Suker and Robert Prosinečki came from the 1998 World Cup team. Alen Bokšić was also from that generation, but he missed the World Cup due to an injury.
-- No one would know about the potential of Yugsolavia playing in Euro 1992. Many people had written about them. I have created a hypothetical imaginary Yugoslavia 1994 World Cup team. Alen Bokšić, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Jarni, Davor Suker, Robert Prosinečki, Siniša Mihajlović, Predrag Mijatovic, Dejan Savicevic and Miroslav Djukic are on my team.
Goalkeeper
-- At the time of writing (2022), Jan Oblak has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He won Ricardo Zamora Award a record 5 times in 6 years. Samir Handanović was one of four non-Italian goalkeepers to have won the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year.
-- When I created the original Yugoslavia All-Time Team (including players from former republics in 2014, I included Asmir Begović, but I probably overrated him. At the time, he was a goalkeeper on the rise with Stoke, but his career after 2015 seemed stalled. But when I separated that team into two teams, namely Yugoslavia and this Yugoslavia after the breakup in 2022, I felt that Danijel Subašić might deserve more. He helped Croatia to finish second at the 2018 World Cup Finals, including winning two penalty shootouts. He was also a top goalkeeper with Ligue One for many years.
-- Stipe Pletikosa performed well for Croatia, but he did not have a great run in a big tournament. Dražen Ladić also deserved some credit for the 1998 World Cup Finals and Dominik Livaković also for the 2022 World Cup run.
Defenders
-- The four fullbacks were all well-established. Branislav Ivanović (Serbia), Robert Jarni (Croatia) and Aleksandar Kolarov (Serbia) were household names in the world. Darijo Srna was lesser known due to playing mainly in Ukraine. He was probably one of Shaktar Donetsk's greatest players. Vedran Ćorluka (Croatia) made honorable mention.
-- Nemanja Vidic was one of the best centerbacks in the world during his prime. Siniša Mihajlović was a top defender in Serie A at the time when the league was the best in the world. He could also play in multi-position.
-- Stefan Savic had been underrated. I wanted to take him, but Miroslav Đukić established himself with both Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia at the time when both clubs were among the best in Europe. SW Igor Štimac was also a serious candidate.
-- The Kovac brothers were well-known players because they played in the Bundesliga. Both brothers played more than 80 times for Croatia. Niko was a long time captain of the national team, but Robert was a better player. Robert was not a leader like his brother in the locker room of Croatia, but he lasted for ten years at the highest level of club football, proving himself in Bayern and Juventus while Niko did not establish himself with Bayern Munich. His peak was with HSV Hamburger and Hertha Berlin. So I took Robert Kovac over his brother Niko.
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| Robert Kovac |
-- Igor Tudor spent 9 seasons with Juventus. He was a part of the mighty defensive unit of Juventus from 1998 to 2007, but he was not a starter. Dejan Lovren was also on the shortlist.
-- Injuries kept Neven Subotić (Serbia) from greatness. He was one of the best in Bundesliga for a few seasons with Borussia Dortmund. He only managed to play 36 times for Serbia.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Luka Modric was one of the main reason why Real Madrid won four Champions League in 5 years. He led his country to the World Cup Final in 2018 while winning the Golden Ball award as well as the following Ballon d'Or. No other player form the former Yugoslavia could claim that. He is the greatest ever from the former Yugoslavia.
-- Dejan Savicevic was among the best player in the world. Along with Zvonimir Boban, he helped AC Milan to win the Champions' League in 1994. They destroyed Barcelona's "Dream Team" in the Final. His performance in the Final was one of the greatest individual displays seen in the competition.
-- Dragan Stojkovic and Robert Prosinecki were big question marks. Stojkovic was a better player than Zvonimir Boban, but Boban was in his prime in the post-1992 period while Stojkovic's club career stalled. His best stint was playing in Japan. Robert Prosinecki's injury situation while he was with both Real Madrid and Barcelona affected my opinion of him. He ended up journeying across Europe throughout his career in the mid-1990's. Boban was a star with AC Milan. He also captained the 1998 World Cup team for Croatia. After Luka Modric, Dejan Savicevic and Zvonimir Boban occupied three spots for attack midfielders, I did not have spots for Stojkovic and Prosinecki (see below for the 23rd player). Niko Kranjčar, Zlatko Zahovič and Vladimir Jugović were also top attack midfielders from the former Yugoslavia after 1992.
-- Both Ivan Rakitić and Dejan Stankovic were versatile players, but I saw them as box-to-box midfielders rather than playmakers. Miralem Pjanić was comparable. He was on the Serie A Team of the Year in 4 straight years. Stankovic was selected into Inter Milan Hall of Fame, but I took Rakitić over Pjanic because of his careers with Sevilla and Barcelona as well as his role with Croatia's 2018 World Cup run.
-- Yugoslavia did not have enough candidates for defensive midfielders. Siniša Mihajlović could be a ball winner in the midfield, but this team needed a few more defensive midfielders.
-- Both Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitić were decent defensively, but at the 2018 World Cup Finals, they had Marcelo Brozovic securing their backs. For their club careers, Modric and Rakitić had Casemiro and Sergio Busquets respectively. This team could not depend on the pair for defensive cover. If I could not trust the two of them, how could I select Miralem Pjanić or Dejan Stankovic for this role? So I needed a real defensive midfielder. Marcelo Brozovic and Nemanja Matić were the only realistic candidates.
-- Marcelo Brozovic was an unsung hero for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup Finals, but his exposure outside of the World Cup Finals was limited. He was great with Inter Milan, but Serie A was at its weakest point in history. He became a even more serious candidate after the 2022 World Cup Finals. Matic was on the Premier League team of the Year for the 2014-2015 season. He was one of the best defensive midfielders in England or even in Europe for about three seasons. So I took him over Brozovic.
-- On wings, I selected Hasan Salihamidžić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Ivan Perisic (Croatia). Salihamidžić had a glory career with Bayern Munich that lasted 9 seasons. Ivan Perisic was sensational at the 2018 World Cup Finals.
-- At the end of the selection, I had one more spot left. Dragan Stojković, Dejan Stankovic, Robert Prosinecki, Mario Mandžukić, Marcelo Brozovic and Miralem Pjanić were in contention for the last spot. I probably needed another defensive midfielder, but I went with the best player left. Before I started this team, I never thought that Dragan Stojkovic and Robert Prosinečki would not make the team. Both players had some issues with injuries after 1992. In the end, I took Prosinečki because he was one of the standout players at the 1998 World Cup Finals. He was probably the most talented midfielders of his generations. Stojkovic was one of the greatest players from Yugoslavia, but his prime was at the 1990 World Cup Finals as well as his career with Red Star Belgrade. Furthermore, I already honoured him with a spot on the Yugoslavia All-Time team. I know this was a ludicrous reason, but I felt bad for Prosinečki being left off from both teams.
Forwards
-- Predrag Mijatović won the 1998 Champions' League with Real Madrid. He scored the winning goal in the Final against Juventus. Davor Suker, of course, was the hero of the 1998 World Cup Finals, where he was the top scorer.
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| Davor Suker |
-- After helping Marseilles to win the European Cup, Alen Bokšić came fourth in the 1993 Ballon d'Or. He was the French Ligue Foreign Player of the Year and Croatia Player of the Year for the same year. In his prime, he was as good as Davor Šuker. Davor Šuker went to the World Cup Finals and became the top scorer while Bokšić stayed home. Edin Džeko was the Bundesliga Players' Player of the Year for the 2008–09 season. He was top scorer in two different leagues, namely Serie A and Bundesliga. Bokšić and Džeko edged out Mario Mandžukić. He did not have those individual awards to back his credentials. Otherwise, he was a top player for the region.
-- Mario Mandžukić was on the shortlist for the 23rd player. I took Robert Prosinečki even through I already had three other attack midfielders. Prosinečki's club career after 1992 was subpar as compared to Mandžukić. However, most people recognised Prosinečki as one of Croatia's greatest ever players. Mandžukić on the other hand was very underrated. He spent most of his career as a starter on a big club. He scored one of the greatest goal ever in a Champions' League Final.
-- Darko Kovačević, Mateja Kežman, Goran Pandev and Savo Milošević were all considered. Darko Pančev's peak was around 1991 when he played for Red Star Belgrade.
-- Brazil-born Eduardo da Silva might have been a strong candidate if he never suffered a serious injury in 2008.
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Formation
Its good learn that, Milovan Jaki, who was the Yugoslav goalie in the 1930 World Cup, was the first player from Montenegro to compete in a World Cup. Since then, Montenegrins have been strongly represented in Yugoslav and Serbia and Montenegrin teams, with players like as Dragoljub Brnovi, Dejan Savievi, and Predrag Mijatovi being among the most famous Yugoslav players of all time. Enjoy Golf News
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